Children or people who can't give informed consent can be sexually assaulted when someone uses their age, size, authority or position of trust to involve them in sexual acts.

Sexual assault can happen to anyone. Sexual assaults are often carried out by a person known to the victim. The majority of sexual assaults are perpetrated by men.

Support Ser​vices

NSW Health Sexual Assault Services provide free information, counselling, court support, medical treatment and forensic examinations for anyone who has been sexually assaulted. They can provide testing and prevention for pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. These services are based in certain hospitals and community health services across NSW. There is a sexual assault service in your area open 24 hours a day.

Anybody who reports being sexually assaulted to the Police or the Department of Family and Community Services should be taken or referred to their nearest NSW Health Sexual Assault Service.

You do not need to have reported the sexual assault to the Police to receive help from a NSW Health Sexual Assault Service, if you are over 16 years of age.